March dates, which weekend?

[kikismom]

I am thinking of taking a quick birthday trip down to the parks either the weekend of the 9th or the 22nd. Both would be Thursday to Monday to make a long weekend. Flights are more expensive one weekend and hotels more expensive the other and it pretty much evens out.

I don't really care about spring break crowds and know it will be busy. It's just kind of an extra trip so we'll take it slow and not worry about lines.

 

[lalasmama]

I'd go the weekend of 3/22. It's when the lowest magic key (annual pass) block out starts, and the next lowest pass's block out starts the next day (3/23). Will it affect the crowds? Well, it's less AP reservations, but those will be flipped to same-day/multi-day reservations instead... so you'll be dealing with people less accustomed to the traffic flow of Disneyland. If you are already experienced in DL crowds, then you'll have a leg up on the competition for the lines, haha.

 

[kikismom]

I'd go the weekend of 3/22. It's when the lowest magic key (annual pass) block out starts, and the next lowest pass's block out starts the next day (3/23). Will it affect the crowds? Well, it's less AP reservations, but those will be flipped to same-day/multi-day reservations instead... so you'll be dealing with people less accustomed to the traffic flow of Disneyland. If you are already experienced in DL crowds, then you'll have a leg up on the competition for the lines, haha.

Thanks! I'm just happy to be planning another trip.

So to throw a whole wrinkle in my question. Would you stick with the March dates or go the Monday to Friday the first week of April even though I said I'd never go that week again? Lol. It would give me one extra night and a whole extra day in the park.

 

[foolish_mortals]

WonderCon ends March 31 so some people will likely extend their stay. Also March 31 is Easter Sunday and some schools give the following week off.

I would expect the Monday, April 1 to be very busy with the rest of the week being above average crowds.

 

[kikismom]

WonderCon ends March 31 so some people will likely extend their stay. Also March 31 is Easter Sunday and some schools give the following week off.

I would expect the Monday, April 1 to be very busy with the rest of the week being above average crowds.

We went spring break one time when Easter fell that Sunday. I swore I would never go again that week. Now here I am...

I think I'll stick with the March dates.

 

[smartlabelprint]

We went spring break one time when Easter fell that Sunday. I swore I would never go again that week. Now here I am...

I think I'll stick with the March dates.

Yeah don’t do it. We did that by accident *once*.

 

[sophy1996]

If it matters, March 7 is Disney Channel Nite After Dark event at Disneyland park.

 

[kikismom]

I did it! I just booked the 8th to the 12th. I ended up booking a DVC rental for one of the little rooms at the DH. I hope I don't regret it but we just don't spend much time in the room at all anymore so it seemed silly to pay for a bigger room. I've never done DVC rental so hopefully the room comes through. I booked our flights through our credit card and got 5x points also bought gift cards through Costco to buy tickets. I wish you could buy more than two per membership. I may have my parents get two for me as well. I'd like to save as much as I can because I kind of went crazy and booked first class for the flights. I HATE flying so much that i figured it's worth it.

I can't even believe I did all this today. It's cold and rainy here, I'm sure my husband is going to think I'm nuts since we just went. As long as he doesn't have to go he'll be happy.

 

[TheLyinKing]

I did it! I just booked the 8th to the 12th. I ended up booking a DVC rental for one of the little rooms at the DH. I hope I don't regret it but we just don't spend much time in the room at all anymore so it seemed silly to pay for a bigger room. I've never done DVC rental so hopefully the room comes through. I booked our flights through our credit card and got 5x points also bought gift cards through Costco to buy tickets. I wish you could buy more than two per membership. I may have my parents get two for me as well. I'd like to save as much as I can because I kind of went crazy and booked first class for the flights. I HATE flying so much that i figured it's worth it.

I can't even believe I did all this today. It's cold and rainy here, I'm sure my husband is going to think I'm nuts since we just went. As long as he doesn't have to go he'll be happy.

Also look into getting gift cards via target (5% off w/ redcard) if you need more. The Budget board also has a whole thread on gift card deals as well so you could also take advantage of that

 

[LuckyL3gends]

If you don't mind the crowds and just want to have a chill time, I'd say go for the weekend of the 22nd. Since flights and hotels are priced similarly, it's a win-win situation. Plus, a longer weekend means more time to relax and enjoy the parks at your own pace.

 

[kikismom]

Also look into getting gift cards via target (5% off w/ redcard) if you need more. The Budget board also has a whole thread on gift card deals as well so you could also take advantage of that

I managed to get more from Costco so I have enough to buy our tickets now. I'll go check that thread out though for more tips. Thanks!

 

[kikismom]

Well poo! No DVC rentals for those dates. I already booked flights and got such a good deal I'm not changing. Looked at booking direct though Disney and one of the duos is $604 a night.

I am going to either book the Westin or the Homewood Suites right at the Toy Story lot. The Westin is about $300 more total but looks so nice. The Homewood Suites would save our feet with the shuttles. Any thoughts?

 

[heybets30]

WonderCon ends March 31 so some people will likely extend their stay. Also March 31 is Easter Sunday and some schools give the following week off.

I would expect the Monday, April 1 to be very busy with the rest of the week being above average crowds.

Oh goodness, I didn't even see that Easter was March 31! We have 1 day to hit the parks due to visiting colleges the rest of spring break, We'll be there Friday, March 29th. Ugh. Already dreading spring break crowds, we fly back the 30th, so wasn't even looking at calendar for Easter.

 

[crystal1313]

Well poo! No DVC rentals for those dates. I already booked flights and got such a good deal I'm not changing. Looked at booking direct though Disney and one of the duos is $604 a night.

I am going to either book the Westin or the Homewood Suites right at the Toy Story lot. The Westin is about $300 more total but looks so nice. The Homewood Suites would save our feet with the shuttles. Any thoughts?

Westin! It’s gorgeous. There is an ART stop right outside the hotel. Last time we stayed at homewood, it was in need of a refurb.

 

[kikismom]

Westin! It’s gorgeous. There is an ART stop right outside the hotel. Last time we stayed at homewood, it was in need of a refurb.

Did you make the walk to the parks at all? If so how was it?

I really hate ART and have had bad experiences with the timing each time I've used it. I'm just a bit leery about trying it again.

I almost booked at Paradise Pier just to be a scoch closer, it's $800 more though and I feel like I can buy a lot of food and souvenirs for that much extra.

 

[crystal1313]

Did you make the walk to the parks at all? If so how was it?

I really hate ART and have had bad experiences with the timing each time I've used it. I'm just a bit leery about trying it again.

I almost booked at Paradise Pier just to be a scoch closer, it's $800 more though and I feel like I can buy a lot of food and souvenirs for that much extra.

We walked the entire time. We never used ART. I agree, for us, ART can be hit or miss. I would rather walk than wait for a bus. So the mornings the walk is longer, because you have to go to security by the DLH. But in the evenings, it was quicker to exit through the grand and walk back. I actually really like this walk and feel safe going this way. You can also Uber back.

Here’s a video.

The Westin Anaheim Resort Real Time Walk to Disneyland Through Downtown Disney #walking #disneyland

Have a fun trip and happy bday!

 

[kikismom]

We walked the entire time. We never used ART. I agree, for us, ART can be hit or miss. I would rather walk than wait for a bus. So the mornings the walk is longer, because you have to go to security by the DLH. But in the evenings, it was quicker to exit through the grand and walk back. I actually really like this walk and feel safe going this way. You can also Uber back.

Here’s a video.

The Westin Anaheim Resort Real Time Walk to Disneyland Through Downtown Disney #walking #disneyland

Have a fun trip and happy bday!

Thanks! I think I'm going to book there. We're Marriott members so I'd rather get points anyway. I'm pretty bummed about not staying in property but this hotel looks so beautiful.

 

[crystal1313]

Thanks! I think I'm going to book there. We're Marriott members so I'd rather get points anyway. I'm pretty bummed about not staying in property but this hotel looks so beautiful.

It’s hard to compare to staying on property. Being in the bubble is pretty awesome! But, the rooms at the westin are SO nice. (Have not seen a villa at the DLH in person yet, but the westin rooms felt nicer to me than the GCH and the DLH hotel) Customer service was also fantastic and we loved being able to come back from the parks and walk right into the uncrowded bar and get a drink. Hopefully you will also have a fantastic stay!! Have so much fun and happy early bday!

 

[sophy1996]

Thanks! I think I'm going to book there. We're Marriott members so I'd rather get points anyway. I'm pretty bummed about not staying in property but this hotel looks so beautiful.

If you’re Platinum or above they have a rooftop lounge with breakfast and afternoon snacks.